Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Kansas

My mom is an only child and lost both of her parents last year. They had a will set in place leaving every last thing they owned to her including 3 cars and the house. Everything went into probate and she got a lawyer and went to probate court for it and Everything ended up being granted to her obviously. Well she payed her' low-cost lawyer's over $4000 so far and now he's demanding another $1500 with charges on her bill such as speaking to my dead grand parents and long phone calls with my mom she ever had. Were in Very deep financial trouble because we are not able to sell the cars or house because everything has been in probate since December but we're still having to pay taxes on everything and the loans against 2 of the cars. First of all, can someone explain a little about probate and how it can stay like this for 8 months and second what can we do when we feel like a lawyer isn't being honest and keeping everything in probate because of all this?


Asked on 7/27/14, 9:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

The facts of each probate estate are different. Some estates can be resolved in months, and some take years. With to few facts, it is impossible to opine as to how long is reasonable to complete this particular estate. A client has a right to question each line of an attorney's bill for fees and costs. The KBA (Kansas Bar Association) can assist in mediating fee disputes. Your mother might try contacting the Bar, after asking for phone records or reciepts to support the billing items in question.

Good luck

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Answered on 7/30/14, 6:57 pm


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